David Davis papers, 1815-1964 (bulk 1815-1886)
Descriptive
Inventory for the Collection at Chicago History Museum, Research Center
By Blanche Jantzen, 1958; rev.
2000
Please
address questions to:
Chicago
History Museum, Research Center
1601
North Clark Street
Chicago,
IL 60614-6038
Web-site:
http://www.chicagohistory.org
©
Copyright 2000, Chicago Historical Society
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title: David Davis papers, 1815-1964 (bulk 1815-1886)
Main entry: Davis, David,
1815-1886
Inclusive dates: 1815-1964 (bulk 1815-1886)
Size:
9
linear ft. (33 boxes)
19
microfilm reels.
1 v.
(Scrapbook).
1
oversize folder.
Access: This collection
is open for research use.
Provenance statement:
Most of this collection was a gift of Willard L.
King, primarily in 1956-1958 (M1957.0050, M974.0027, M1902.19623, M1923.1000,
M1961.0284, M1961.0323, M1962.0328, M1964.0455, M1964.0447, M1965.0513,
M1977.0020).
Terms governing use: Copyright may be retained by the creators
of items, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law,
unless otherwise noted.
Please cite this collection as: David Davis papers (Chicago History
Museum) plus a detailed description, date, and box/folder number of a specific
item.
This descriptive inventory contains the
following sections:
Biographical/historical
note,
Summary
description of the collection,
Description
of some material related to the collection,
List
of online catalog headings about the collection,
Arrangement
of the collection,
Detailed
description
of archival series in the collection,
List
of contents of the collection.
Older
lists pertaining to the collection:
List of
original documents in the collection,
Key to the location of originals
when copies were made for this collection,
Processor's notes about some
significant copies in the collection,
Old list of card catalog headings for this collection.
Biographical/historical note:
David Davis was one of the most
powerful lawyers and politicians in nineteenth century Illinois. e was born at
Sassafras Neck, Cecil County, Maryland, as the posthumous son of David Davis.
When Davis was five years old, his mother Ann Mercer married Franklin Betts. At
that time Davis went to live with his uncle, Henry Lyon Davis, at Annapolis,
Maryland. He was educated at New Ark Academy, Delaware; Kenyon College,
Gambier, Ohio; and the New Haven Law School, from which he graduated in 1835.
After several years as a law student in the office of Judge Henry W. Bishop of
Lenox, Mass., he began the practice of law in Illinois: first at Pekin and then
at Bloomington, where he settled permanently. He was in partnership there with
Wells Colton until Colton moved to St. Louis in 1844.
In 1838 Davis married Sarah Woodruff
Walker, daughter of Judge William Perrin Walker of Lenox, Massachusetts. They
had seven children, only two of whom survived infancy: a son, George Perrin
Davis, and a daughter, Sarah Davis.
Davis's political career included:
a term in the Illinois state legislature, 1844; judgeship of the Eighth
Judicial Circuit of Illinois, 1848-1862; riding the judicial circuit with
Abraham Lincoln and becoming Lincoln's close associate; leadership of the "Lincoln
Forces" at the Republican National Convention in Chicago in 1860, where he
was generally credited with success in securing the nomination for Lincoln;
membership on the commission appointed by Lincoln to investigate Fremont's
Missouri Department; and service as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme
Court, 1862-1877; and as a U.S. Senator, 1877-1883. He also served as administrator
of Lincoln's estate, at the request of Mrs. Lincoln and Robert Todd Lincoln. In
1879 his wife died; four years later he married Miss Adeline Burr of Fayetteville,
North Carolina. Davis died at Bloomington in June 1886.
Summary description of the collection:
Primarily copies of
correspondence, legal documents, speeches, pamphlets, and newsclippings
relating to Davis family matters or to Davis's career as a lawyer; a judge in
the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, 1848-1862; Abraham Lincoln's campaign
manager; Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, 1862-1877; and U.S.
Senator, 1877-1883. Most materials were collected by Willard L. King while
writing a biography of Davis. Also present are a few original Davis items plus
correspondence, prepublication manuscript, and reviews relating to King's book,
1950s-1964. Topics of the Davis materials include social and economic
conditions in Illinois; life in Bloomington, Ill., and family affairs;
political parties, especially the Whig and Republican parties, nationally and
in Illinois; presidential campaigns and elections (1856-1876); Mormons in
Illinois; the Mexican War; Davis's circuit-riding relationship with Lincoln,
his riding partner; the antislavery movement; the rivalry between Norman B.
Judd and John Wentworth; the Lincoln-Douglas debates; newspaper activities in
Missouri and Chicago during the 1860s; the Civil War and particularly Missouri
during the war; Davis as the administrator of Lincoln's estate; and the
selection of a successor to Chief Justice Chase.
Correspondents include Davis's
wife Sarah Walker Davis and his son George Perrin Davis, Orville Browning,
Ambrose E. Burnside, Simon Cameron, Aaron Lucius Chapin, Salmon P. Chase, Henry
Clay, Grover Cleveland, Henry Winter Davis, Theophilus Lyle Dickey, Stephen A.
Douglas, Ninian Edwards, Jesse W. Fell, John C. Fremont, James A. Garfield,
Ulysses S. Grant, John J. Hardin, James Harlan, Ozias M. Hatch, Rutherford B.
Hayes, John F. Henry, William H. Herndon, Joseph Holt, Robert G. Ingersoll,
Norman B. Judd, Ward Hill Lamon, Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, Robert
Todd Lincoln, Thomas Lincoln, Stephen T. Logan, J.E. McClure, Joseph Medill,
Lambdin P. Milligan, Richard J. Oglesby, William W. Orme, Ebenezer Peck, Julius
Rockwell, Winfield Scott, William H. Seward, Caleb Smith, Edwin M. Stanton,
John T. Stuart, Noah H. Swayne, Leonard Swett, Samuel J. Tilden, Samuel H.
Treat, Lyman Trumbull, John P. Usher, Clement L. Vallandigham, Elihu B.
Washburne, Thurlow Weed, Gideon Welles, John Wentworth, Horace White, Henry
Clay Whitney, and Richard Yates.
Correspondence about an
autobiography by Davis is filed in box 1, but a copy of the autobiography is
not present. This autobiography was owned by J. Grant Burke of Washington, D.C.
ca. 1975.
Note on chronological
order: For portions of the collection arranged chronologically, undated
items are filed after the nearest dated item. For example, an undated from
summer 1854 is filed after Aug. 31, 1854; an undated item from sometime in 1858
is filed after Dec. 31, 1858.
Description of some material related to the
collection:
Related
materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the papers of
Willard King, Mr. King's published biography of Davis, and an article by King
about collecting the source materials for the biography, all cataloged
separately.
A typed index of selected
authors/recipients of items in the collection (name of person and date of
document) is available at Chicago History Museum, Research Center.
A
published description of the original David Davis papers in the Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Library (previously known as the Illinois State Historical
Library) may be helpful to researchers consulting the photostats from that
collection that are found at the Chicago History Museum. That published
description is "The David Davis Family Papers, 1816-1943, A Descriptive
Inventory," by Robert L. Brubaker (Springfield, Illinois State Historical
Library, 1965).
List of online catalog headings about the
collection:
The following headings were made
for this collection in the online catalog.
Davis, David, 1815-1886--Archives.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Biography.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Family.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Political
and social views.
Lincoln, Robert Todd, 1843-1926.
King, Willard L. (Willard Leroy), b.
1893.
Davis, George P. (George Perrin), b.
ca. 1842.
Davis, Sarah, 1844-1879.
Davis, Sarah Woodruff Walker, 1814-1879.
Walker, William Perrin, 1778-1858.
Illinois. Circuit Court (8th
Circuit)
United States. Supreme Court--Officials
and employees.
Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )
Antislavery movements--United
States.
Families--Illinois--19th century.
Judges--Illinois--19th century.
Lawyers--Illinois--Bloomington--19th
century.
Lincoln-Douglas debates, 1858.
Mormons--Illinois--19th century.
Newspaper publishing--Illinois--Chicago--19th
century.
Presidents--United States--Election--1860.
Presidents--United States--Election--1876.
Mexican War, 1846-1848.
Bloomington (Ill.)--Social
conditions--19th century.
Illinois--Politics and government--19th
century.
Missouri--History--Civil War,
1861-1865.
United States--Politics and
government--1849-1877.
United States--History--Civil War,
1861-1865.
Form/genre:
Correspondence.
Legal documents.
Newspaper clippings.
Pamphlets.
Photostats.
Speeches.
Wills.
Added entries:
Browning, Orville Hickman, 1806-1881.
Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881.
Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889.
Chapin, Aaron L. (Aaron Lucius), 1817-1892.
Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon
Portland), 1808-1873.
Clay, Henry, 1777-1852.
Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908.
Davis, George P. (George Perrin), b.
ca. 1842.
Davis, Henry Winter, 1817-1865.
Davis, Sarah Walker, 1844-1879.
Davis, Sarah Woodruff Walker, 1814-1879.
Dickey, Theophilus Lyle, 1811 or
12-1885.
Douglas, Stephen A. (Stephen
Arnold), 1813-1861.
Edwards, Ninian, 1775-1833.
Fell, Jesse W., 1808-1887.
Frémont, John Charles, 1813-1890.
Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881.
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses
Simpson), 1822-1885.
Hardin, John J., 1810-1847.
Harlan, James, 1820-1899.
Hatch, O. M. (Ozias Mather), 1814-1893.
Hayes, Rutherford Birchard, 1822-1893.
Henry, John F., 1847-1879.
Herndon, William Henry, 1818-1891.
Holt, Joseph, 1807-1894.
Ingersoll, Robert Green, 1833-1899.
Judd, Norman B. (Norman Buel), 1815-1878.
King, Willard L. (Willard Leroy), b.
1893, collector.
King, Willard L. (Willard Leroy), b.
1893. Lincoln's manager, David Davis.
Lamon, Ward Hill, 1828-1893.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882.
Lincoln, Robert Todd, 1843-1926.
Lincoln, Thomas, 1778-1851.
Logan, Stephen T. (Stephen Trigg),
1800-1880.
McClure, J. E.
Medill, Joseph, 1823-1899.
Milligan, Lambdin P.
Orme, William Ward, 1832-1866.
Peck, E. (Ebenezer), 1805-1881.
Pratt, Harry E., collector.
Rockwell, Julius, 1805-1888.
Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866.
Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872.
Smith, Caleb B. (Caleb Blood), 1808-1864.
Stanton, Edwin McMasters, 1814-1869.
Stuart, John Todd, 1807-1885.
Swayne, Noah Haynes, 1804-1884.
Swett, Leonard, 1825-1889.
Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886.
Treat, Samuel Hubbel, 1811-1887.
Trumbull, Lyman, 1813-1896.
Usher, John Palmer, 1816-1889.
Vallandigham, Clement L. (Clement
Laird), 1820-1871.
Walker, William Perrin, 1778-1858.
Washburne, E. B. (Elihu Benjamin),
1816-1887.
Weed, Thurlow, 1797-1882.
Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878.
Wentworth, John, 1815-1888.
White, Horace, 1834-1916.
Whitney, Henry Clay, 1831-1905.
Yates, Richard, 1815-1873.
St. Louis Republican.
United States--Illinois--Bloomington.
Arrangement of the collection:
This collection is arranged in the
following series.
Series 1. David Davis letters and
documents, 1815-1886 (box 1-22)
Series 2. Harry E. Pratt
collection (in box 22: 3 folders)
Series 3. Willard King's notes on
galley proofs (in box 22)
Series 4. Microfilm (box 23)
Series 5. Willard King's
correspondence, etc. about the Davis biography, 1950-1956 (box 24-28):
Series 6. Drafts of Chapter 2 of
the biography (in box 29)
Series 7. Correspondence with
descendants of Davis (in box 29)
Series 8. Oversize items (1
oversize folder)
Series 9. Later donations from Willard King about the
biography (box 30-33, 1 v.)
Detailed description of archival series within the
collection:
Series 1. David Davis letters and documents, 1815-1886 (box
1-22):
The bulk of the Davis papers
consists of photostatic copies of correspondence, legal documents, speeches,
newspaper clippings, pamphlets and other printed material, bibliographical
notes, etc., relating to Davis' personal, legal, and political life. The
letters include those by and to Davis, members of his family, friends,
professional and political associates. They concern personal, business and
official matters. The legal documents pertain to Davis's law practice and his
terms of office as judge of the Eighth Illinois Circuit and as Associate
Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
About half of the copies in Series
1 were copied from originals in the David Davis IV collection of family papers.
In 1959, that collection was donated to the Illinois State Historical Library,
which later changed its name to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.
The period 1836-1847 includes
letters from Davis to William P. Walker, his father-in-law; letters from Davis
to his wife Sarah; the period 1848-1858 includes letters from Davis to his wife
and to his brother-in-law Julius Rockwell and letters between members of the
Eighth Circuit in Illinois, especially in regard to nominations and elections,
1856-1858.
The period 1860-1864 includes
letters from Davis to his wife and to his son George Perrin Davis; letters
between: Davis, Lincoln, Thurlow Weed, Leonard Swett, Norman Judd, John
Wentworth, Henry Winter Davis; and Civil War letters between Davis and Brig.
Gen. William W. Orme. The period 1865-1886 includes letters between Davis and his
wife and his son; letters from Mary Lincoln to Davis; letters from Robert Todd
Lincoln to Davis; and letters between: Davis, Lamon, Herndon, Black, and
Bristow.
Series 2. Harry E. Pratt collection (in box 22: 3 folders):
This material was presented to Mr.
King by Ruth Pointer Randall. Included in this section are: Pratt's
correspondence in connection with research for his doctoral dissertation on
Judge David Davis; a brief biography of Davis written for the Dictionary of American Biography by
Prof. James G. Randall; typed copies of letters, to, by, and about Davis.
See also: photostatic copies of some
chapters of Pratt's dissertation on Davis in Series 1.
Series 3. Willard King's notes on galley proofs (in box 22):
This series contains galley proofs
for the biography with Mr. King's annotations.
Series 4. Microfilm (box 23):
There are 19 reels of microfilm that cover about one-third of the
Davis papers described in series 1, plus series 2.
Series 5. Willard King's correspondence, etc. about the
Davis biography, 1950-1956 (box 24-28):
Mr. King's correspondence and
memoranda relating to his research and acquisition of source material, 1950 July
12-1957 Jan. 1.
Series 6. Drafts of Chapter 2 of the biography (in box 29):
Various drafts of Chapter 2 of the
Davis biography, from the first draft through intermediate stages to the final
form, as an example of the numerous steps in the writing of a chapter.
Series 7. Correspondence with descendants of Davis (in box
29: 3 folders):
Letters by and to descendants of
David Davis.
See also: List of original items
in the collection, last section.
Series 8. Oversize items (1 oversize folder):
a. Photostats of newspaper
articles appearing in the St. Louis
Morning Missouri Republican, Dec. 4, 1844-Mar. 5, 1845, concerning
proceedings of the Illinois & Missouri legislatures.
b. List of the members composing
the Illinois State Convention at Springfield, June 7, 1847.
c. Photostats of newspaper items
from the St. Louis Republican about
the Constitutional Convention of 1847.
Series 9. Later
donations from Willard King about the biography (box 30-33, 1 v.):
This
series includes an oversize scrapbook of reviews and publicity for the
biography (1960-1961) as well as correspondence with publishers, readers, and
others about the book, ca. 1960-1964. There also is an annotated final
manuscript of the biography (640 p.). Most of this section is accession
1974.0027.
List of contents of the collection:
Series 1. David Davis letters and documents, 1815-1886 (box
1-22):
box 1: Davis letters, etc.: 1815-1835
box 2: Davis letters, etc.: 1835-1843
box 3: Davis letters, etc.: 1844-1847
box 4: Davis letters, etc.: 1848-1850
box 5: Davis letters, etc.: 1850 miscellany-1853
box 6: Davis letters, etc.: 1854-1857
box 7: Davis letters, etc.: 1858 Jan.-1860 May
box 8: Davis letters, etc.: 1860 June-Dec.
box 9: Davis letters, etc.: 1860 national convention-1861 Jan.
box 10: Davis letters, etc.: 1861 Feb.-Dec.
box 11: Davis letters, etc.: 1862 Jan.-Nov.
box 12: Davis letters, etc.: 1862 Dec.-1863 Dec.
Davis letters, etc.: 1863-1864 miscellany
box 13: Davis letters, etc.: 1864 Jan.-1865 Apr.
box 14: Davis letters, etc.: 1865 May-1866 Nov.
box 15: Davis letters, etc.: 1866 Dec.-1867 Dec.
box 16: Davis letters, etc.: 1868-1871
box 17: Davis letters, etc.: 1872 Jan.-Apr.
box 18: Davis letters, etc.: 1872 May-1876.
box 19: Davis letters, etc.: 1877-1879
box 20: Davis letters, etc.: 1880-1882
box 21: Davis letters, etc.: 1883-1885
box 22: Davis letters, etc.:
1886
Series 2. Harry E. Pratt collection (in box 22: 3 folders):
Box 22 - continued
Harry E. Pratt collection of Davis
documents (3 folders)
Series 3. Willard King's notes on galley proofs (in box
22):.
Box 22 - continued
Galley proofs for the biography
with Mr. King's notes
Series 4. Microfilm (box 23):
box 23: 19 reels of microfilm of some items in series 1 and of series 2
Series 5. Willard King's correspondence, etc. about the
Davis biography, 1950-1956 (box 24-28):
box 24: Willard King correspondence, July 1950-April 1952
box 25: Willard King correspondence, May-December 1952
box 26: Willard King correspondence, January 1953-February 1954
box 27: Willard King correspondence, March 1954-April 1955
box 28: Willard King correspondence, May 1955-1956
Series 6. Drafts of Chapter 2 of the biography (in box 29:
3 folders):
Box 29
Series 7. Correspondence with descendants of Davis (in box
29):
box 29 - continued
Series 8. Oversize items (1 oversize folder):
1 oversize folder.
Series 9. Later
donations from Willard King about the biography (box 30-33, 1 v.):
box 30
David Davis
box 31
David Davis
box 32
David Davis
box 33
David Davis
1 scrapbook [wrapped oversize
package on shelf] containing reviews, publicity materials, & correspondence
from readers of King's biography of David Davis (1974.0027).
List of original
documents in this collection
Abbreviations:
ALS = Autograph (handwritten) letter signed by the author
DS = Document signed by the author
a. By David Davis (in series 1):
1836 June 14; Legal document (DS)
1844 Apr; Legal document (DS)
1845 May; Legal document (DS)
1846 July 6; Legal document (DS)
1853 July 7; to "My dear
Friend" (ALS)
1856 Sept.; Legal document (DS)
1857 (Aug); Legal document (DS)
1858 May 16; Legal document (DS)
1858 June 7; to Messrs. Coles,
Sims & Sheldon (ALS)
1859 Mar. 17; Legal document (DS)
1859 June 20; to William H. Somer
(ALS)
1868 Sept. 22; to William H. Somer
(ALS)
1869 May 15; to Melville W. Fuller
(ALS)
1875 Jan. 11; to "Ella"
(ALS filed in 1835 folder)
1875 Apr. 24; to Mr. Hill (ALS)
1878 Feb. 9; to Arthur Sedgwick
(ALS)
1878 Mar. 23; to Arthur Sedgwick
(ALS)
1882 Oct. 16; Mss. note on verso
of letter (filed May 20, 1856)
1884 Apr. 23; to Mr. Morton,
Minister to France (ALS)
b. By Sarah Davis (filed in 1835
folder):
1878 Apr. 8; to "Ella"
(ALS)
1879 July 14; to "Ella"
(ALS)
c. Letters by and to descendants
of David Davis (filed series 7):
Letters by Sarah Davis Lillard
Letters by Isaac Markens to David
Davis IV
Letters to Mrs. Addie Green (Davis'
second wife, who married J. Wharton Green after Davis' death), written by: Mrs.
Edith Davis, D. R. Williams, George Perrin Davis, C.H. Moore, David Davis IV.
Key to the location of originals when copies were made for
this collection:
On the verso of each copy in
Series 1., there is a code letter that indicates the location of the original.
Each roll of microfilm also carries a code letter. These code letters were used
by Mr. King when he compiled this collection in the 1950s.
Note about items coded A, B, C, DA, DAA, DAAA, DAD, X:
When they were photostated, these
items belonged to David Davis IV of Bloomington, Ill. These originals later
became the David Davis papers at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
(Springfield, Ill.). The ALPL collection also contains more items than are
copied in the Chicago History Museum collection, mostly items relating to legal
and business matters and additional papers of Davis's son and associates.
The following codes indicate where
the originals were stored in the early 1950s:
A. Law
office of David Davis IV, Bloomington, Illinois
B. David
Davis IV papers
C. Basement
of Davis Mansion, Bloomington.
DA. Attic of Davis Mansion (first group of papers
located 1950)
DAA. Attic of Davis Mansion (second group of papers
located1953)
DAAA. Attic of Davis Mansion (third group of papers located
1956)
DAD. Davis attic desk in Davis Mansion
X. Library
of Davis Mansion
Other codes for original items copied in the collection at
Chicago History Museum:
D. Chapin
papers (including David Davis-Wells Colton correspondence), Beloit College
(WI.)
DS. Davis-Syle papers, owned by Irene Marguerite Syle of
Philadelphia (ca. 1960)
G. Green
papers, University of North Carolina
H-W. Herndon-Weik papers, Library of Congress
LCM. Miscellaneous at Library of Congress, including Trumbull papers,
Bristow papers, Gresham
papers,
Washburne papers, Cameron papers, Creswell papers, Holt papers, Cleveland
papers,
and
Herndon-Weik papers
P. Originals
owned by Harry Pratt and used by him for his dissertation on Davis
R. Seward
papers and Weed papers, Rochester University, N.Y.
RTL. Robert Todd Lincoln papers, Library of Congress
W. Daniel
Williams papers, Williams College, Massachusetts.
Old card catalog headings:
The following headings for this
collection were placed in the Manuscripts Card Catalog.
Subjects:
Davis, David
Abolitionists
American Party.
Banks & Banking, Illinois.
Burnside, Ambrose Everett,
1824-1881.
Campaign Literature, 1856.
Campaign Literature, 1860.
Campaign Literature, 1864.
Campaign Literature, 1872
Campbell, Hugh
Circuit-Riding.
Cabinet Officers. U.S.
Chase, Salmon Portland, 1808-1873
Copperheads.
Courts. Illinois (8th Circuit)
Courts Martial & Courts of
Inquiry. U. S.
Davis, David. Family.
Democratic Party.
Douglas, Stephen Arnold,
1813-1861.
Electoral Commission, 1877.
Emancipation Proclamation.
Free Soil Party.
Fremont, John Charles, 1813-1890.
Grant, Ulysses Simpson, Pres. U.
S., 1822-1885.
Hayes, Rutherford Birchard, Pres.
U. S., 1822-1893.
Holt, Joseph, 1807-1894.
Illinois. Description and Travel.
Illinois. Economic Conditions.
Illinois. General Assembly.
Illinois. History.
Illinois. Politics &
Government.
Illinois. State Bank.
Illinois. Constitutional
Convention, 1847.
Judd, Norman Buel, 1815-1878.
King, Wallace L. Collections
Lawyers. Illinois.
Liberal Republican Party.
Lincoln Family.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Views
on Slavery
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Political Career Before 1860
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Campaign, 1860.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Campaign, 1864.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Estate of.
Lincoln-Douglas Debates, 1858.
Lincoln, Mrs. Mary (Todd),
1818-1882.
Lincoln, Robert Todd, 1853-1926.
Lincoln, Thomas, 1853-1871.
Milligan, Lambdin P., 1812-1899
Missouri. General Assembly.
Missouri. History. Civil War.
Mormons & Mormonism in
Illinois.
Newspapers. Missouri. St. Louis
Republican.
Newspapers. Missouri. St. Louis
Morning Missouri Republican
Newspapers. Chicago. Chicago
Democrat.
Newspapers. Chicago. Chicago
Press & Tribune
Newspapers. Chicago. Chicago
Times.
Orme, William Ward, d. 1866.
Peck, Ebenezer, 1805-1881.
Presidents. U.S. Election 1876.
Presidents. U.S. Election 1860
Republican Party.
Republican Party. Illinois.
Republican Party. Natl. Conv. 2nd
Chi. 1860
Real Property. Illinois
Slavery in the U.S.
Slavery in Mississippi.
Social Life and Customs. Illinois.
Tilden, Samuel Jones, 1814-1886
Trumbull, Lyman, 1813-1896
U. S. History. Civil War. Letters,
etc.
U. S. History. War with Mexico,
1845-1848.
U. S. Politics & Government.
U. S. Politics & Government. Civil
War.
U. S. Supreme Court.
Vallandigham, Clement Laird,
1820-1871.
Wentworth, John, 1815-1888.
Whig Party.
Processor's notes about some significant copies in the
collection:
Note: The following chronological
list describes items relative to Lincoln and his family found among the Davis papers
in the Davis Mansion in Bloomington in the 1950s and not previously available
for public use. Also indicated are some references to political events and prominent
persons. The originals of these items were donated in 1959 to the Illinois
State Historical Library, later known as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library.
1840
Jan. 19--Bloomington; Davis to
Judge Will. P. Walker; Internal Improvements in Illinois; State debt; State
Bank issue.
1841
Jan. 22--Bloomington; Davis to
Judge Walker; Illinois politics.
Feb. 10--Bloomington; Davis to
Julius Rockwell; bad govt. & debts in Illinois
1843 Dec. 7--Bloomington; Davis to
Judge Walker; abolitionist excitement in Illinois
1844
Apr. 11--Legal case; Boggs &
Overton; Lincoln argued case for defendant.
May 4--Decatur, Illinois; Davis to
Judge Walker; circuit-riding, Lincoln, tariff, canal, etc. (very important
letter).
May 14--Bloomington; Davis to John
J. Hardin; Illinois politics; abolitionists.
May 16--Bloomington; Davis to
Judge Walker; abolitionists in Illinois Democrats divided; Clay creates less
excitement than Harrison.
May 25--Judge Walker to Davis;
possibility of war soon due to handling of affairs by President and Calhoun;
annexation of Texas; slavery must be abolished.
1845
Jan. 28--Springfield; Sarah Davis
to Judge Walker; repeal of Nauvoo Charter; speeches in Illinois Legislature.
Feb--(1st page missing) Davis to
Judge Walker; crop failures in Illinois, Negro laws; State Constitutional
Convention; Nauvoo Charter; Missouri
Republican–"Virginius."
Mar. 2--Springfield; Davis to
Judge Walker; staying at Globe Hotel with Lincoln; interest rate; politics.
Mar. 11--South Carolina; L. W.
Curtis to Wells Colton; So. Carolina Negro insurrection.
Dec. 13--Bloomington; Davis to
Judge Walker; purchase of Jesse Fell place in Bloomington; Mormons must move.
Dec. 17--Bloomington; Davis to
Rockwell; population increase in Bloomington; Illinois politics; Clay's defeat;
John Wentworth.
Dec. 20--Bloomington; Davis to
Wells Colton; So. Carolina Negro insurrection.
1846
June 13--Bloomington; Davis to
Colton; Mexican War; local politics (very good).
Aug. 6--Lenox, Mass.; Judge Walker
to Davis; real estate in New England must fall; New Eng. can't compete with
West in anything but manufacturing.
Sept. 23--Legal case; James &
Francis Barnard; signed by Lincoln.
Dec. 6--Bloomington; Davis to
Judge Walker; Mexican War--climate disastrous to Illinois volunteers. (good).
Dec. 16--Philadelphia; Asahel
Gridley to Davis; legal cases involving Lincoln.
1847
Jan. 15--Springfield; (J. R.
Humos) to Davis; Lincoln's views on various legal cases.
Jan. 19--Bloomington; Davis to
Judge Walker; question of moving state capitol to Peoria; Mexican War.
June 25--Springfield; Davis to
Walker; State Constitutional Convention; legislature; judiciary; banking; Mex.
War (very good).
Aug. 2--Springfield; Davis to
Sarah; finds Mrs. Lincoln "not agreeable"; expresses disgust with
politics (very important letter).
Aug. 8--Springfield; Davis to
Sarah; personal remarks regarding Lincoln--his appearance, etc.
Sept. 5--Bloomington; Davis to
Sarah; Constitution adopted 131 to 7; left Springfield for Tremont in company
with Lincoln.
Nov--Extract from a letter by
Usher F. Linder regarding relationship between Lincoln and Henry Clay.
Oct. 7--Danville, Illinois; Davis
to Walker; judicial election--Logan and Williams in Const. Convention; Mex.
War; Clay; Masons.
1848
Mar. 22--Bloomington; Davis to Dr.
John Henry; Gen. Taylor and Whig nomination; Lincoln's standing in Washington.
May 16--Paris, Illinois; Dais to
Walker; Whig Party in Illinois disorganized.
July 10--Danville, Illinois; J. M.
Crosby to (Davis); received letter from Lincoln regarding Railroad Bill; fears
amendment will defeat building of the railroads.
Nov. 30--Springfield; J. T. Logan
to Davis; requests that Davis write to Lincoln regarding the removal of A. G.
Herndon from land office.
1849
Jan. 7--Washington; N. L. Covell
to Davis; Lincoln interested in land office position.
Feb. 12--Washington; Lincoln to
Davis; reluctant to take position in Land Office as he would have to give up
his law practice.
Feb. 21--Bloomington; Davis to
Lincoln; urges him to take Land Office position as law practice in Illinois
promises poor remuneration.
Apr. 24--Mt. Pulaski, Illinois;
Davis to Rockwell; solicits Rockwell's support in securing Land Office position
for Lincoln.
Apr. 26--Wyoming, Illinois; John
H. Morrison to Davis; Lincoln and Land Office position; Lincoln cannot see
anything north of Springfield and Jacksonville in a favorable light.
June 2--Springfield; A. H Henry to
Davis; Lincoln's appointment as Land Office Commissioner discussed.
June 3--Washington; Caleb Smith to
Lincoln; requests political appointment for friend.
July 6--Springfield; Lincoln to
Davis; Washington trip; hopes friends will approve appointment of "Mr. B".
1850
Jan. 23--Springfield; William
Thomas to Davis; Lincoln's opinion regarding the appointment of Logan or
Lockwood as Judge--committed to Logan.
May 20--Shelbyville, Illinois;
Davis to Sarah; circuit news; Lincoln's family.
July 7--Burlington, Iowa; Davis to
[Rockwell]; Lincoln and Whig nomination.
July 10--Taylorville, Illinois; L.
R. Gorin to Davis; wants Lincoln's intervention in local (Taylorville)
politics.
Aug. 28--Springfield; Davis to
Sarah; circuit riding with Lincoln.
Aug. 31--Springfield; Davis to
Sarah; circuit news; Lincoln's family.
Sept. 23--Pekin, Illinois;
Retainer of J. A. Crain, who engaged Lincoln to promote his chancery suit
(Tazewll Circuit).
1851
Mar. 23--Springfield; Davis to
Sarah; personal mention of Lincoln.
Mar. 28--Springfield; Lincoln to "Smith";
bank certificates and legal case.
Apr. 24--Clinton, Illinois Davis
to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln.
May 1--Urbana, Illinois Davis to
Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln; legal cases.
May 3-- Urbana, Illinois Davis to
Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln; legal cases.
Aug. 31--Springfield, Illinois Davis
to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln
Sept. 14--Tremont, Illinois; Davis
to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln
Sept. 22--Pekin, Illinois; Davis
to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln
Oct. 15--Urbana, Illinois; Davis
to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln
Oct. 20--Danville, Illinois; Davis
to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln; political affairs.
Oct. 27--Paris, Illinois; Davis to
Sarah; political quarrel between Lincoln and Chas. Constable; U. F. Linder
& Lincoln in regard to legal case.
Nov. 3--Shelbyville, Illinois;
Davis to Sarah; Lincoln's relationship to his family.
1852
Feb. 3--Washington; Orland B.
Fucklin to Davis; Lincoln not appointed Land Office Commissioner.
Feb. 17--Alton, Illinois; Levi
Davis to David Davis; joint purchase of lots by Lincoln and David Davis.
May 6--Urbana, Illinois; note
signed by Lincoln regarding a draft to Thos. Cheney.
May 7--Urbana, Illinois; Davis to
Sarah; Lincoln's and Davis' recreation on circuit.
May 11--Danville, Ill; Davis to
Sarah; circuit riding with Lincoln.
May 17--Paris, Illinois Davis to
Sarah; circuit riding with Lincoln; Lincoln's family.
May 24--Shelbyville, Ill; Davis to
Sarah; circuit riding with Lincoln
May 31--Mss. note by Lincoln on
verso of letter from Grant Goodrich to Lincoln; regarding Stephen H. Douglas.
June 3--Decatur, Illinois; Davis
to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln.
Oct. 18--Lincoln's certification
of mailing letter and bond enclosed to B. Mathewson
1853
Sept. 18--Stockbridge, Mass.;
Sarah to Davis; Lincoln's family.
1854
Apr. 17--Davis to his son, George;
Lincoln to speak next in Court; he inquires about George.
May 8--Pekin, Illinois; Davis to
Sarah; Lincoln very busy; mentions his family.
Dec. 17--Springfield; Lincoln to
L. Swett; regarding copy of a book (not named); Rev. John S. Bayer.
Dec. 22--(Mt. Morris); S. M. Hitt
to Davis; Lincoln's views on slavery; his election.
Dec. 23--Alton, Illinois; J. H.
Murphy to Davis; offers his services to secure Lincoln's election.
1855
Mar. 23--Springfield; letter to
Hon. O. H. Browning signed by Lincoln, Benjamin S. Edwards, and John T. Stuart,
regarding the propriety of running Judge Logan for position on Supreme Bench.
July 6--Chicago; Lincoln to Rev.
A. L. Chapin; deposit of money made by Lincoln for Davis, to Chapin's credit.
July 12--Receipt for July 6
deposit (above)--to Lincoln.
Nov. 4--S. M. Hitt to Davis;
expresses opinions about Lincoln and Douglas.
Dec. 27--Bloomington; Davis to
Rockwell; Lincoln and Douglas Debates mentioned.
1856
Feb. 20--Bloomington; Davis to
Lincoln; forthcoming litigation regarding land titles in Beloit, Wis.
Apr. 5, 7--Legal papers in autograph
of Lincoln, with his signature and those of John T. Stuart and Davis.
July 7--Springfield; Lincoln to
Davis; Lovejoy nominated, Swett beaten.
1857
Mar. 17--Clinton, Illinois C. H.
Moore to Davis; legal case with Lincoln as prosecutor.
Apr. 15--Legal paper in autograph
of Lincoln; claims to real estate in Pekin.
1858
Mar. 8--Bloomington; Sarah to son,
George; Lincoln holding court for Davis.
Bloomington;
Plea of trespass and suit, State of Illinois; bearing names of Lincoln, Davis,
Swett and Whitney.
July 29--Bloomington; Davis to Dr.
John F. Henry; describes Douglas in debate with Lincoln at Clinton, Illinois
Sept. 22--Lincoln, Ill; Davis to
son, George; Lincoln-Douglas Debates.
Nov. 7--Danville, Illinois; Davis
to son, George; Lincoln's defeat in election.
Dec. 21--Inscription by Lincoln on
front page of book belonging to Geo. P. Davis.
1859
Jan. 25--Springfield; character
reference for Samuel Hitt, written and signed by Lincoln.
Feb. 8--Urbana, Ill; Messrs. Coles
& Sheldon to Lincoln; legal case.
March--List of 33 cases (legal)
heard by Lincoln; written on small cards.
Mar. 9--Clinton, Illinois; Davis
to son, George; Lincoln and other Illinois politicians.
Oct.--List of 25 legal cases heard
by Lincoln; written on small cards.
Oct. 23--Urbana, Illinois; Davis
to son, George; Lincoln feeling comfortable over elections; Harpers' Ferry mad
affair.
-- Trial
notes by Judge Davis of legal case in which Lincoln was counsel.
1860
Jan. 9--Springfield; Lincoln to
Hon. L. Swett; letter of introduction for William Yates.
Mar. 4--Beloit, Wis.; George P.
Davis to his grandmother; Lincoln's New York speech.
May 2--Council Bluffs, Iowa;
Banking House of Officer & Pusey to Lincoln; sending deed as requested.
May 26--Springfield; Lincoln to
Davis; in notation attached to letter being forwarded to Davis, Lincoln states
principles he will follow before election and after (if elected)
May 26--Springfield; Lincoln to
Davis; Illinois politicians discussed.
May 30--Springfield; Lincoln to
Swett; will be fair to all in politics as much as possible.
June 10--Henry Winter Davis to
David Davis; Lincoln's nomination.
June 11--Bloomington; Davis to
son, George; Lincoln's prospects for election.
July 16--Springfield; Lincoln to
Swett; Swett's proposed trip to Pa.
July 27--Springfield; Lincoln to
Davis; Julius Rockwell's signing a bond.
July 31--Beloit, Wis.; (Louis
Jones) to Geo. P. Davis; working for Lincoln's campaign.
Sept. 7--Lochiel; Simon Cameron to
Davis; funds for Lincoln's campaign.
Sept. 10--Urbana, Illinois; E.
Boyden to Davis; Champaign, Illinois will support Lincoln; difficult to raise
funds.
Sept. 30--Bloomington; Davis to
son, George; will lose faith in self-govt. If Lincoln loses election.
Oct. 8--Clinton, Illinois; Dais to
son, George; importance of Ind. and Pa. Elections.
Oct. 10--Clinton, Ill; Davis to
Sarah; Lincoln's election assured if Republicans win in Ind. and Pa.
Oct. 12--Clinton, Illinois; Davis
to Sarah; Lincoln will be next president; his wife is very ambitious.
Oct. 15--Urbana, Illinois; Davis
to Sarah; met Gov. Corwin and other political figures at Lincoln's home;
Lincoln in high feather but looks as if a heavy responsibility is resting on
him.
Oct. 18--Urbana; Davis to Sarah;
people of Springfield do not love Lincoln's wife as they love him.
Oct. 19--Bloomington; W. H. Hanna
to Davis; Caleb B. Smith's inquiries about Lincoln.
Nov. 2--Urbana; Davis to Sarah;
Davis' political relations with Lincoln.
Nov. 4--Danville; Davis to Sarah;
fearful responsibility will fall on L9incoln if elected.
Nov. 9--Springfield; Davis to
Sarah; election results to various Illinois counties.
Nov. 11--Danville; Davis to Sarah;
Lincoln, election results in Illinois, future of Illinois political parties.
Nov. 14--Danville; Davis to son,
George; election results--McLean Co.
Nov. 26--(Indianapolis); John D.
Defrees to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Dec. 11--Chicago; A. W. Whitney to
Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Dec. 18--Belvidere; S. A Hurlbut
to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Dec. 22--Joliet, Illinois J. O.
Norton to Davis; interview with Lincoln, cabinet, etc.
Dec. 24--Washington; Lyman
Trumbull to Davis; So. Carolina, secession and Lincoln; war, if it comes, will
be to maintain a constitutional government.
Dec. 26--Pittsfield, (Pa.);
Rockwell to Davis; Lincoln's opinion in regard to using whatever means
necessary to preserve the Union.
Dec. 26--Albany, N.Y.; Thurlow
Weed to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Dec. 27--Springfield; John C.
Henshaw to Davis; interview with Lincoln.
1861
Jan. 1--Washington; Swett to
Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Jan. 5--Henry Winter Davis to
Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Jan. 6--Camden, N. J.; Thos. H.
Dudley to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Jan. 7--New York; John C. Henshaw
to Davis; difficulties regarding Lincoln's inauguration in Washington overcome.
Jan. 11--Washington; J. D. Defrees
to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Jan. 13--Washington, J. D. Defrees
to Davis; wishes Lincoln had intimate knowledge of men now on "political
chess-board".
Jan. 13--Indianapolis; Caleb B.
Smith to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Jan. 14--Bloomington; Davis to
son, George; Lincoln care-worn and anxious.
Jan. 15--Paris, (Illinois); W. P.
Dole to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Jan. 17--New York; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; appointment of N. B. Judd to cabinet.
Jan. 20--Freeport'; J. V. Shaffer
to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Jan. 20--Vincennes, Illinois; C. M
Allen to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Jan. 22--Indianapolis; W. L. Otto
to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet
Jan. 22--Harrisburg, Pa.; Jos.
Casey to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Feb. 5--Washington; Caleb Smith to
Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.
Feb. 17--Buffalo, N.Y.; Davis to
Sarah; describes great ovation given to Lincoln along the way from Indianapolis
to Buffalo.
Apr. 17--Washington; Thurlow Weed
to Davis; disappointment at Lincoln's failure to appoint any of Weed's friends.
May 13--Albany, N.Y.; (Thurlow
Weed) to Davis; conversation with Lincoln; mention of appointment for Swett.
Aug. 5--Simon Cameron to Davis;
discussion with President Lincoln about Davis' appointment in Washington.
Aug. 11--Washington; J. D. Andrus
to Davis; cabinet badly wanting in capacity; Cameron notoriously incompetent.
Aug. 18--Washington; J. D. Andrus
to Davis; Seward has no administrative ability; foreign relations in critical
state.
Sept. 14--Chicago; Horace White to
Davis; fearful public rage at Lincoln's revocation of Fremont's proclamation.
Dec. 8--St. Louis; Davis to Sarah;
Lincoln's message to Congress a failure; policies not clearly defined.
Dec. 11--Washington; Joseph Casey
to Davis; Lincoln's message too mild.
Dec. 15--St. Louis; Davis to
Sarah; indiscreet conduct of Mrs. Lincoln; Ward Hill Lamon not a true friend of
Lincoln.
1862
Jan. 28--Washington; J. D. Andrus
to Davis; weakness of administration; appointment of Stanton is first ray of
hope.
Feb. 19--St. Louis; Davis to
Sarah; "horrid" gossip about Mrs. Lincoln.
Feb. 23--St. Louis; Davis to
Sarah; Lincoln's grief over death of his son.
May 3--Washington; Jos. Holt to
(Davis); public excitement over report on Fremont issued by commission
appointed by Lincoln.
May 5--Washington; Joseph Carey to
Davis; commission's report on Fremont.
July 28--Washington; John C.
Henshaw to Davis; Lincoln's friends concluding he lacks firmness of decision;
has only honesty of intention.
Sept. 29--Springfield, Mo.; Will.
M. Orme to Davis; Lincoln's (Emancipation) Proclamation not effective ; lacks
power to enforce it.
Oct. 19--Springfield, Mo.; Will.
Orme to Davis; doesn't understand why Lincoln retains McClellan; McClellan does
not move.
Oct. 24--Springfield, Mo.; Orme to
Davis; elections in Ohio, Ind. and Pa. are terrible reverses for
administration; McClellan ruined country.
Dec. 7--Washington; Davis to
Sarah; accompanied Lincoln and Gov. Chase to see a vessel built on the order of
the "Monitor".
Dec. 14--Washington; Davis to
Sarah; rode with the Lincolns; Mrs. Lincoln a very singular woman.
Dec. 21--Washington; Davis to
Sarah; resolution passed by Republican Senators urging Lincoln to reconstruct
his cabinet.
Dec. 22--Washington; Davis to
(Rockwell); caucus of Republican Senators want reorganization of cabinet, aimed
against Seward.
Dec. 28--Washington; Davis to
Sarah; reverses of the war; Mrs. Lincoln.
1863
Jan. 1--Washington; Davis to
Sarah; acct. of New Year's calls of various political figures on the President.
Jan. 30--Bloomington; Wm. Orme to
Davis; party strife in Illinois; Democratic press and speakers denounce Lincoln
as tyrant and despot.
Feb. 7--Washington; Davis to
Sarah; Lincoln is in fine spirits, but Davis thinks general sentiment adverse.
Mar. 19--Henry Carrington's report
on Copperheads in Indiana. 11 pp.
Dec. 16--(Washington); roger B.
Taney to Davis; considerations on Supreme Court case.
Dec. 21--Lochiel, (Pa.); Simon
Cameron to Davis; government personnel in War Dept., Stanton, Lincoln, etc.
1864
Feb. 7--Washington; Davis to son,
George; agitation in Wash. about presidential election; feels sure Lincoln will
be re-elected.
Feb. 9--Albany, N.Y.; H. J.
Hastings to Davis; feeling in N.Y. legislature on re-nomination of Lincoln.
Feb. 9--Albany, N.Y.; Thurlow Weed
to Davis; Lincoln's re-nomination; activities of "Chase men."
Feb. 24--Washington; Sarah to son, George; Lincoln family; Henry Winter Davis
spoke in House of Representatives--not fond of Lincoln, not for Chase.
Feb. 25--Washington; Davis to
(Rockwell); 2/3 of Congress favors Lincoln; Lincoln a wise man and won't
quarrel with Chase.
Mar. 24--Albany; Thurlow Weed to
Davis; circulating a document expressing confidence in the President.
Mar. 15--New York; Weed to Davis;
Lincoln's re-nomination; Chase, etc.
Mar. 29--(Astor House); Weed to
Davis; certain men in Appraisers' Office hostile to Lincoln.
Apr. 4--Washington; Davis to Weed;
Lincoln spoke of his friendship for Weed.
Sept. 9--Eureka, Illinois; J. C.
Harvey to Davis; rumors that Davis will support McClellan for presidency.
Sept. 12--(Lawrence, Kan.);
Hawkins Taylor to Davis; majority of Kansas against Lincoln; Taylor stumped
state in his favor.
Sept. 20--Peoria, Illinois; Isaac
Underhill to Davis; rumors that Davis left Lincoln and Johnson Party to support
McClellan.
Sept. 22--Bloomington; Davis to J.
C. Harvey; (reply to Harvey's letter of Sept. 9) Davis denies support of
McClellan; will vote for Lincoln.
1865
Mar. 20--Bloomington; Davis to
(Rockwell); report of Andrew Johnson's drunkenness at inauguration.
Apr. 5--Chicago; Davis to Pres.
Lincoln; urges him not to accept resignation of Judge Samuel C. Parks;
criticizes Atty. Genl. Jas. Speed.
Apr. 12--Washington; James Speed,
Atty. Genl. to Davis; reply to Davis' letter of Apr. 5 regarding Judge Parks;
with mss. note by Lincoln to Davis, urging him to maintain a good relationship
with Speed.
Apr. 16--Chicago; Sarah Davis to
children, George and Sally; contains note by Davis to his children, saying he
is leaving immediately for Washington in response to a telegram from Robt. Todd
Lincoln.
May 6--Bloomington; Davis to Jas.
Speed; Lincoln's apparent endorsement of Judge Park's dismissal; feels Lincoln
did not read his letter thoroughly.
May 16--Washington; Jas. Speed to
Davis; had Lincoln's approval in his action regarding Judge Parks and will not
reverse his decision.
May 31--Springfield, Mass.; J. G.
Holland to Davis; requests aid in securing material for biography of Lincoln.
June 12--New York; Geo. M. Davis
to David Davis; conflicting reports as to size of Lincoln Estate; wants to know
true status.
June 21--Boston; E. L. Derby to
Davis; collecting fund for Mrs. Lincoln.
June 24--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; permits him to use his own discretion in disseminating information
regarding value of Lincoln estate.
June 27--Hyde Park Pl.; Mary
Lincoln to Davis; financial affairs.
July 7--New York; Geo. M. Davis to
David Davis; injustice done to Mary Lincoln by New York Times; ownership of real estate in Iowa by Lincoln.
Aug. 8--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; his father's estate affairs.
Aug. 22--Washington; Statement of
account against the estate of Abraham Lincoln, dec'd., from M. W. Galt &
Bro.
Aug. 28--Council Bluffs, Iowa;
Banking House of Officer and Pusey to Davis; regarding real estate held by
Lincoln in Iowa.
Sept. 12--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; financial affairs; recall of Judd from his mission.
Nov. 29--Washington; Jas. Harlan
to Davis; Mrs. Lincoln's liabilities.
Dec. 1--Springfield, Illinois;
(P.S.) Enos to Davis; notes payable to Lincoln.
Dec. 13--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; financial affairs.
Dec. 22--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; claims against father's estate.
1866
Jan. 9--Pekin, Illinois; Wm. E.
Parker to Davis; Lincoln estate matter.
Jan. 11--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; amount of Mr. Lincoln's salary to be authorized by Congress for payment
to her.
Jan. 11--Springfield, Illinois;
Wm. H. Herndon to Davis; asks Davis' opinion on Lincoln, his traits of
character, etc., for Lincoln biography.
Jan. 25--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; guardianship of brother, Tad.
Feb. 11--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; financial affairs; Lincoln's law books at Springfield.
Feb. 21--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; guardianship of brother, Tad.
Mar. 14--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; prefers not to sue for collection of a debt due the estate.
May 4--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; financial affrs.; Genl. Cameron proving himself a true friend to her.
July 21--Council Bluffs, Iowa;
Banking House of Officer & Pusey to Davis; regarding Iowa real-estate
belonging to Lincoln Est.
Aug. 21--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; asks Davis' advice on permitting Wm. Herndon to examine certain
Lincoln Papers.
Oct. 30--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; Iowa real-estate, owned by Lincoln est.
Nov. 19--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; disapproves of lectures about his father, given by Wm. Herndon.
Dec. 5--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; asks aid in securing additional funds for herself and son, Robert.
Dec. 25--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; thanks him for interest in her affairs; hopes Cameron is elected U. S.
Senator.
1867
Jan. 9--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; asks him to advise her son, Robt. on accompanying "Mr. Fuller"
to Washington.
Jan. 14--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; asks his aid in securing financial help from Cameron.
Jan. 19--Bloomington; J. E.
McClure to Davis; Supreme Court decision regarding Milligan Case lessens
possibility of a military despotism.
Jan. 20--Lancaster, Ohio; T. Ewing
to Davis; Milligan Case.
Jan. 22--Bloomington; W. H. Hanna
to Davis; Milligan Case.
Feb. 3--Washington; Davis to John
F. Henry; gives his reasons for deciding as he did in Milligan Case.
Feb.--(Chicago); Mary Lincoln to
Leonard Swett; regarding her lack of funds; thanks him for his interest in her
affairs.
Mar. 4--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; Herndon's lectures about her husband; the "Ann Rutledge Myth"
etc.
Mar. 6--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; guardianship of son, Tad
June 17--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; guardianship of son, Tad.
June 30--Racine, Wis.; Mary
Lincoln to Davis; financial affairs; Tad Lincoln's entrance in college.
July 29--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; Iowa real-estate and N. B. Judd's note due Lincoln Est.; Robt.
Lincoln's law partner, Scammon.
Aug. 1--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; will end partnership with Scammon.
Aug. 2--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; Judd's business dealings with Lincoln Est.
Aug. 23--Memo of agreement between
A. Lincoln and N. B. Judd, dated Sept. 1, 1850, in regard to real-estate in
Iowa; sent to Robt. T. Lincoln, 1867.
Sept. 2--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; full payment of Judd's note to Lincoln Est.
Nov. 13--Account & Settlement
of Est. of Abraham Lincoln, dec'd.; David Davis, Administrator.
Nov. 17--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to
Davis; final settlement of Lincoln Est.
1868
Jan. 17--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; financial affairs; brother Tad.
Feb. 23--Washington; Davis to
Sarah; proceedings regarding Pres. Johnson's impeachment.
Feb. 24--Washington; Davis to
Rockwell; Milligan Case.
Mar. 4--Washington; Davis to
Sarah; Pres. Johnson's impeachment.
Mar. 16--Lincoln, Illinois; Samuel
C. Parks to Davis; Parks' candidacy for Congress--vs. (Shelby Moore) Cullom;
Illinois politicians discussed.
Apr. 22--Aiken, So. Carolina;
Davis to (Rockwell); condition of Negroes in South; Negroes and political
rights; Pres. Johnson; Republican Party promoting and intensifying hatred.
Dec. 15--Frankfurt, Germany; Mary
Lincoln to Davis; request from son, Robert for a loan from her; asks Davis'
help to secure pension from Congress.
--Memo
of Settlement of Mr. Lincoln's Estate.
1869
Feb. 20--Springfield, Illinois;
Will. H. Herndon to Davis; describes his collection of Lincoln manuscripts;
wants to know their value and Davis' opinion about selling them to Ward H.
Lamon.
Mar. 25--Indianapolis; J. D.
Howland to Davis; judicial affairs, Judiciary bill.
Mar. 25--Indianapolis; Davis
McDonald to Davis; change in Judicial system.
Davis to G. L. Edmonds of U. S. Senate;
regarding personal estate of late Pres. Lincoln.
1870
Aug. 27--(York); (C. S.) Black to
Davis; regarding Lamon's biography of Lincoln.
Nov. 10--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; Tad's allowance and his mother's financial affairs.
1871
June 19--Martinsburg, W. Va.; Ward
Hill Lamon to Davis; assures him of his support in Davis' bid for presidential
nomination.
Sept. 19--Settlement with Court of
Probate of Sangamon Co., Illinois; signed by Robt. T. Lincoln.
Oct. 28--Washington; Davis to "David";
Chicago Fire.
1872
Apr. 8--(Sumner), Lawrence Co.,
Illinois; S. D. Norton to Davis; congratulations upon Davis' nomination for
presidency tendered by Laboring Men's Assoc. of Ohio.
1873
Dec. 17--Springfield, Illinois'
James A. Reed to Davis ; truth of evidence in Lamon's book regarding Lincoln's
religious beliefs.
1874
June 23--Bloomington; Davis to
(Henry Syle); appointment of Benjamin N. Bristow as Secy. Of Treasury.
Sept. 15--San Jose, Calif.; (W. L.
Gresham) to Davis; judicial affairs; Republican Party in California; Bristow's
Petition.
Nov. 7--Chicago; John Wentworth to
Davis; result of November 4, election.
Nov. 24--(Place illegible); (Jesse
Fall) to Davis; possible political effects of election.
--Chicago; excerpt from a letter
by Leonard Swett regarding an incident in connection with Pres. Grant's
reception at the Palmer House during a visit to Chicago.
1875
Apr. 15--Indianapolis; J. D.
Howland to Davis; Rep. Party; recent elections; corrupt Democratic City Govt.
etc.
May 24--Chicago; Leonard Swett to
Davis; full description of circumstances leading to the commitment of Mary
Lincoln to an insane asylum--evidence of her insanity; proceedings at her
trial; her defense by Mr. Arnold; her surrender of her bonds; attempts to take
poison, etc.
June 5--Washington; R. W. Johnson
to Davis; appointment of a Negro to the Post Office in Little Rock, Ark.
Oct. 13--Springfield, Illinois;
(Jesse) Dubois to Leonard Swett; possibility of presenting Davis' name for the
presidential nomination.
Nov. 13--(Williamson); S. G.
Morrison to Davis; Davis' name mentioned for presidential nomination of 1876.
Nov. 16--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln
to Davis; Lincoln's mother--her mental condition, finances, etc.
1876
Jan. 24--St. Augustine, Illinois;
H. Chrisman to Davis; Davis' candidacy for presidential nomination.
Apr. 10--Chicago; John Wentworth
to (Davis); plans of National Committee of Independents.
Apr. 10--Copy of letter written by
Davis (evidently to Thos. Richardson, stating views on currency question.
May 27--Washington; A. Chester to
Davis; thanks Davis, in name of California settlers, for his decision as member
of Supreme Court in case of (Sawyer) vs. Newhall
1877
Apr. 6--Chicago; A. I. Grover to
Davis; in interest of Greenback cause and Independent Party.
Apr. 11--Davis' remarks before the
Illinois Legislature, Springfield, upon his election as U. S. Senator.
Apr. 23--Bloomington, Illinois;
Davis to A. I. Grover; Davis' election to Senate a compromise of political
parties and he thus occupies an independent position as Senator.
Apr. 27--Board of Trade, N.Y.;
Wallace P. Groom to Davis; Davis' support of National Paper Money (full legal
tender).
May 30--Decatur, Illinois S. I.
Jacks to Davis; session of Illinois Legislature at Springfield--Ill politics
and politicians discussed.
June 3--Chicago; J. W. Wickizer to
Davis; concerning Gen. Logan.
June 7--Indianapolis; W. O.
Gresham to Davis; concerning Benjamin W. Briston; other political affairs of
Indiana and Illinois
Aug. 16--Indianapolis; C. W.
Fairbanks to "Mr. Bishop"; collectorship at Chicago; other local
political affairs.
Aug. 16--Chicago; D. F. Stony to
Davis; Collectorship at Chicago.
Oct. 25--St. Louis; Samuel Treat
to Hon. Samuel F. Miller of U. S. Supreme Court; changes in U. S. statutes
affecting the Judiciary; Senator Davis preparing a bill to be submitted to
Congress with reference thereto.
--(Without
specific date); material relating to the Electoral Commission of 1877. 1folder
1879
May 1--Springfield; Hon.
Richardson Vasey to Davis; politics of Illinois Legislature.
May 3--Springfield; Chas. J.
Robinson to Davis; Ill Legislature.
May 10--Oregon City, Tex.; E.
Recinan to Davis; Texas Editors favor Davis' nomination for president.
June 4--Quincy, Illinois; circular
letter to Davis; River Improvement Convention
June 6--Chicago; Carter H.
Harrison to Davis; possibility of Davis' appearance in Chicago; State politics.
June 9--Halltown, W. Va.; John H.
Strider to Davis; Davis' nomination for President
June 10--Albany, N.Y.; Wm. D.
Murphy to Davis; question of Davis' nomination for President.
Aug. 18--Chicago; M. W. Robinson
to Davis; wants him to accept leadership of Democratic Party for 1880.
--Newspaper
clippings; some concerning political affairs, etc.
1880
Apr. 28--Boston; Chas. Francis
Adams to Davis; Davis' remarks on Geneva Award Bill.
May 15--Copy of Davis' reply to
Apr. 28 letter of Chas. Francis Adams (above).
July--Bloomington; Davis to -----;
corruption in Republican Party--its mission ended; will support Gen. Hancock.
Sept. 5--Washington; Jas. E.
Harvey to Davis; outlook favorable to Hancock; Indiana, politics discussed.
1881
Feb. 17--Mentor, O.; J. A.
Garfield to Davis; considering Robt. T. Lincoln for cabinet position.
Mar. 1--Chicago; Chas. L. Easton
to Davis; Davis' vote in U. S. Senate--as Republican or Democrat.
Mar. 27--Indianapolis; Judge
Gresham to Davis; Garfield's cabinet
Aug. 18--Washington; Jas. E. Harvey
to Davis; Garfield's cabinet.
Sept. 18--Saratoga; F. D. Thurber
to Davis; National Anti-Monopoly League.
1882
Feb. 4--"Oatlands", near
Cartersville, (Ga.); R. A. Felton to Davis; Republican Party in Georgia.
1883
Mar. 8--Last Will & Testament
of David Davis; Probate Record of the Estate of David Davis, McLean Co.,
Illinois
Dec. 2--Denver, Colo.; Ward Hill
Lamon to Davis; legislation sought by Railway Co. from Congress.
1884
Jan. 4--Chicago; Isaac Newton
Arnold to Davis; Arnold's address upon Mr. Lincoln before the Royal Hist.
Society of London.
Jan. 29--Washington; Lee Crandall
to Davis; wants to hold convention of Greenback-Labor Party and nominate Davis
for President.
Feb. 9--Chicago; Thos. Drummond to
Davis; Davis' Bill for Courts of Appeal.
Feb. 11--Washington (Post Office
Dept.); W. O. Gresham to Davis; national politics; President's position, etc.
June 10--Chicago; Leonard Swett to
Davis; good discussion of proceedings in Republican National Convention.
July 1--Washington; Jas. E. Harvey
to Davis; Rep. Natl. Convention.
July 3--Washington; Wm. H. Parish
to Davis; Rep. Natl. Convention.
Nov. 29--Bloomington; Davis to
Gov. Cleveland (Pres. elect of U. S.); concerning Cleveland's cabinet.
1885
May 22--Charleston, (Illinois); O.
B. Tricklin to Davis; concerning publication of memoirs of (Usher F.) Linder.
July 7, July 23--Denver, Colo.; 2
letters by Ward Hill Lamon to Leonard Swett; regarding Swett's derogatory
reference to Lamon's relationship with Lincoln; Lamon's bitter feelings toward
Robt. T. Lincoln.
July 25--Denver, Colo.; Ward H.
Lamon to Davis; estrangement between Lamon and Swett; berates Robt. T. Lincoln.